Arrest of American who has given $1m in aid to Palestine prompts fears of ‘growing repression from Trump’

Palestinians displaced during an Israeli offensive shelter at a mosque in Khan Younis, in Gaza, on 14 July 2026. James ‘Fergie’ Chambers ‘is being jailed because he uses his wealth to support Palestine and those suffering genocide in Gaza’, his partner says. Photograph: Ramadan Abed/Reuters View image in fullscreen Palestinians displaced during an Israeli offensive shelter at a mosque in Khan Younis, in Gaza, on 14 July 2026. James ‘Fergie’ Chambers ‘is being jailed because he uses his wealth to support Palestine and those suffering genocide in Gaza’, his partner says. Photograph: Ramadan Abed/Reuters Arrest of American who has given $1m in aid to Palestine prompts fears of ‘growing repression from Trump’ Extradition request for James ‘Fergie’ Chambers sparks concerns that US government is conflating humanitarian aid with terrorism The arrest in Ibiza and US justice department extradition request for a wealthy American donor to lefwing causes in connection with alleged material support for Hamas is sending ripples through leftwing circles in Spain and being closely monitored in the US for potential “chilling effects” on support for Palestine . Spanish authorities detained James “Fergie” Chambers Friday and are now holding him without bail in Madrid. A hearing is scheduled on whether he can be released on bail for Thursday. The Spanish high court has 40 days to decide whether to grant the Trump administration’s extradition request. If the court says no, the case closes there. If it says yes, the Council of Ministers has the final decision, according to a spokesperson for the court. The indictment against Chambers is sealed. This is the first known case of the US seeking extradition of a citizen arrested and charged with supporting Hamas, according to Stanley Cohen, an attorney with 40 years’ experience working on terrorism cases. “I don’t doubt the decision was made [to seek Chambers’ extradition] because it looks good for Trump, for AIPAC and for Zionist supporters,” said Cohen, who’s been following the case. “It’s a conscious decision to target for political purposes.” Chambers is a self-described anti-imperialist and heir to one of the richest families in the US, owners of Cox Communications. He sold stock back to his family worth around $250m in mid-2023 and since then has been funding politically progressive and humanitarian projects, from a Black community group to a nonprofit organization helping Middle Eastern children. Stella Schnabel, Fergie’s partner, wrote in a statement: “Fergie is being jailed because he uses his wealth to support Palestine and those suffering genocide in Gaza. In short, he is facing political persecution for having dedicated his life to building a better society, rather than exploiting people and profiting from war. He should be with our family, continuing his important humanitarian and social advocacy work.” Chambers has donated more than $1m to humanitarian projects in Gaza, his attorney, Llorenç Salvà, wrote in t